Maryam Nawaz says her services to Punjab recognised internationally

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said her government’s work for the province has received international recognition, adding that she has focused on delivering practical results rather than making unrealistic promises.

Addressing officers of the Sindh Administrative Service in Lahore, Maryam said she had worked to fulfil the dream of homeownership for deserving families through the government’s housing initiatives. She said her administration had prioritised public welfare and taken concrete steps to improve people’s lives.

The chief minister said Pakistan had given its citizens respect and identity, adding that they should remain grateful to the country. She also praised administrative service officers, describing them as a source of pride, and said she worked with government officials as part of a team to address public issues on a daily basis.

Maryam said the office of chief minister was not merely about travelling in an official vehicle or occupying a position of authority. Instead, she said, the role required continuous commitment to public service and the resolution of people’s problems.

She added that despite numerous challenges, she left home every day with the determination to serve the public. According to her, public welfare remained central to her daily responsibilities, and decisions were regularly taken to improve the lives of Punjab’s residents.

The chief minister said government service should not be reduced to attending the office, marking attendance and signing routine documents while avoiding difficult responsibilities. She stressed that public officeholders must remain focused on delivering results rather than simply fulfilling formal requirements.

Maryam also spoke about accountability within the provincial administration, saying that even some members of her cabinet failed to fulfil their responsibilities towards the public. She remarked that officials holding positions of authority must put aside personal interests and prioritise the needs of citizens.

She said she had not faced significant difficulties in handling the administrative affairs of Punjab. However, she emphasised that public representatives and government officers needed to demonstrate dedication and a strong sense of responsibility to meet public expectations.

Highlighting her government’s housing programme, the chief minister said the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme had been implemented with a system of checks and balances to ensure that deserving people benefited from it.

She explained that loans for home construction were released in instalments at different stages. The construction process was also inspected at each stage to ensure that the funds were being used for their intended purpose and that houses were being built according to the programme’s requirements.

Maryam said she had maintained merit in government appointments and had never asked for an officer to be posted on the basis of personal recommendations. She stressed that merit should remain the guiding principle in appointments across the provincial administration.

The chief minister also made a comparison between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that Punjab was entering the era of artificial intelligence while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained behind in terms of development.